Date of Talk: 2007-08-10 Date Submitted: 2007/8/11
Description:
While tolerance is widely regarded as a positive quality, Ajahn Brahm points out that tolerance always contains an element of passive disdain for it's subject. More liberating for the beholder (as well as the subject) is the deep investigation of all phenomena.
An active, searching approach will point the contemplative toward profound understanding and acceptance rather than mere tolerance.
How celibacy brings peace, simple contentment and spiritual insight that surpasses that of romance and sexuality. AND makes for a positive response towards an overpopulated and polluted planet...
Date of Talk: 2007-07-27 Date Submitted: 2007/7/29
Description:
Ajahn Brahm leads us into the Rains Retreat with this scorcher of a talk. The Buddha's teaching of acceptance and letting go of states leads to the kind of deep happiness that cannot be found by shopping in the 'happiness industry' of this world. As Ajahn Chah famously said: "Joy at last -to know there is no happiness in the world!"
Ajahn Brahm gives a 'medley talk' covering various topics that were requested by the community. They include procrastination, the meaning of life, euthanasia in pets and finding a balance between initiative/productivity and recreation in children.
Date of Talk: 2007-05-18 Date Submitted: 2007/5/19
Description:
Do we have a right to believe anything? Do some beliefs have priority over others? How do beliefs arise in the mind and how accurately do such 'intellectual fermentations' actually mesh with an Ultimate Reality?
And if that's a little heavy for you, look out for the Pope's Faustian episode on the golf course! Quack, quack
Date of Talk: 2007-05-11 Date Submitted: 2007/5/14
Description:
For those abused and wronged is happiness actually possible? Attachment to painful emotions, such as grief, anger, bitterness, the notion of a wounded self with a distinct identity: all these can become a perpetual prison...
Date of Talk: 2007-04-27 Date Submitted: 2007/4/30
Description:
How does one interpret the first precept in everyday life? Is being a Buddhist and a soldier mutually exclusive? Are there instances when one can perform a 'mercy' killing and not attract negative results? How does kamma work in relation to the murdering of living beings? How might society justly deal with such grievous actions and ultimately, how can one forgive?
Funky monk Ajahn Brahm provides practical approaches to this bewildering array of serious and complex issues.
Date of Talk: 2007-03-16 Date Submitted: 2007/3/18
Description:
A penetrating look at how we react to criticism both when furnishing it on others and (at once more challenging) receiving it ourselves. Why are we often so hardened and totally stuck in our views and perceptions when softness of mind can yield much larger fruit?
Nibbana is not something that can be predictably acquired through sheer effort. Actually it more or less happens automatically, the more one lets go of doing, gives up the notion of a distinct 'I' and acts from the knowledge of the oneness of all beings and things. Out of these insights compassionate energy and happiness arises. Nibbana, the ultimate happiness. 163 MB High quality video
Nibbana is not something that can be predictably acquired through sheer effort. Actually it more or less happens automatically, the more one lets go of doing, gives up the notion of a distinct 'I' and acts from the knowledge of the oneness of all beings and things. Out of these insights compassionate energy and happiness arises. Nibbana, the ultimate happiness.
Date of Talk: 2007-02-16 Date Submitted: 2007/2/19
Description:
This talk enlarges on an academic panel discussion held recently at the University of Western Australia regarding the reconciliation of religion and science. Ajahn Brahm also takes the opportunity to discuss the Buddhists concepts of Non-duality and the Middle Way. In the process some fascinating linkages and extrapolations come to light, particularly in regard to Emptiness (Anatta) and gravity physics.
Date of Talk: 2007-02-09 Date Submitted: 2007/2/11
Description:
This talk revolves around the second and third factors of the Noble Eightfold Path, namely the Intentions of Renunciation, Goodwill and Harmlessness - as well as the practising of Right Speech. Always pragmatic and practical, the Dhamma taught by the Buddha 2500 years ago, correlates perfectly with contemporary concepts of psychology: deluded and and ego-intoxicated, humans project their own fears and weaknesses onto others, rather than face these within themselves. This creates endless conflict and suffering. Loving kindness, gentleness, humility and frugality are the Buddha's antidote...
Date of Talk: 2007-01-19 Date Submitted: 2007/1/20
Description:
Denial of the senses, labelling them evil or even completely prohibiting sense indulgence is not the Buddhist way. Meditation and mindfulness allow practitioners to deal with sensuality wisely, particularly if it is destructive to one's self or others.
And, according to Ajahn Brahm, those who *really* want to be deviant and head towards nibbana (enlightenment): "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side..." - and try celibacy.
) Date (
Ajahn Brahmavamso
Tolerance Explored 
2202 
28.51 MB 
MP4 
